Meet Melissa Tan, and her son Ayden Ayden was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect when he was born. This condition impeded his growth, and he needed to undergo a heart surgery. When he was two months old, he was just the weight of a new-born. It was an extremely tough and taxing time for Melissa and her husband to have to witness Ayden undergo such a complex surgery at such a tender age. Melissa and her husband were referred to Ronald McDonald House Charities, and were subsequently offered a room to stay in when Ayden was hospitalised after his surgery in July 2021. “Not only was the Ronald McDonald House cosy and well-equipped with both cooking and laundry facilities, my husband and I were extremely touched by the great lengths that the staff went to, to make us feel welcome and comfortable.”
When Mira Koh Xin Rong was born, her family's journey quickly became one of resilience and hope. Diagnosed with Tetralogy of Fallot, a form of congenital heart disease, Mira underwent a life-saving heart repair surgery on 15 July. Complications during and after the operation meant that what was expected to be a critical procedure turned into a prolonged and uncertain battle – one that kept Mira in the Intensive Care Unit for five months.
After an unexpected asthma attack, Azura found herself undergoing an emergency cesarean section delivery at just 25 weeks and 5 days of pregnancy.
Siti Nur Ain and Suhaimi are parents to cheerful 18-month-old Amira Mikayla.
